Covid-19 Civil Society and Charities 2020-06-04
2020-06-04
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The question arises from the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on civil society organisations, particularly charities.
What steps his Department is taking to ensure the sustainability of civil society and charities affected by the covid-19 outbreak?
Charities and civil society are playing a pivotal role in the response to coronavirus, with a package of support worth £750 million announced. This includes no business rates for shops this year and furloughing staff where possible. The aim is to prevent unnecessary closures, keep vital services open, and provide a basis to continue their contribution to the national effort.
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Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question is prompted by the challenges faced by local and national arts charities due to the pandemic.
Will he look again at charities that specifically promote the arts, such as Wimbledon BookFest, because they keep culture going in our communities?
The £160 million emergency funding package announced by Arts Council England is an important part of the support, but we are working closely with them to consider what additional support may be needed for long-term recovery of the sector in the future.
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Assessment & feedback
Additional specific support for arts charities not addressed
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Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The question stems from the significant funding deficits faced by local charities like Wakefield Hospice during the pandemic.
What steps are being taken to ensure that the work of hospices and other charities can continue when they are prevented from fundraising through traditional measures?
There is significant support available for hospices with £200 million of the £750 million ring-fenced specifically for hospices. Local charities can access the £200 million coronavirus community support fund, and reopening charity shops from 15 June will allow fundraising to start getting back to normal.
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Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The question addresses the financial challenges faced by voluntary organisations due to loss of revenue, fundraising income, and increasing demand for their services.
What further guarantees will be provided now that charities are beyond the point of warm words or pennies dropped in the tin?
The £750 million package is a crucial part of the support, and we continue to work closely with Arts Council England and other organisations to ensure ongoing recovery. The Government understands the challenges faced by charities but does not provide specific additional guarantees beyond this.
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Assessment & feedback
Further guarantees for charity support not fully addressed
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The question is about the need to utilise the goodwill of volunteers who have contributed during the crisis for the benefit of voluntary organisations in the future.
What is being done to harness the good will of people who volunteered during this crisis and ask them what they would like to contribute towards the voluntary sector?
An additional 4 million people have volunteered in some form, with 750,000 coming forward for the GoodSAM app to help the health service. The focus is on ensuring that this good will persists, as a key part of future planning.
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Specific actions or plans not fully detailed
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